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    Home » News » MLS » NYCFC vs New York Red Bulls: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Stats

    NYCFC vs New York Red Bulls: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Stats

    NYCFC vs New York Red Bulls predicted formations

    NYCFC host New York Red Bulls at Yankee Stadium on Friday, September 18 (7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT / 4:30 PM PT).

    New York City FC go into this with their central attacking trio in good health: Nicolás Fernández Mercau leads the way with 14 goals and 45 chances created from 2,044 minutes, flanked by fellow attacking midfielders Axel Ojeda and Hannes Wolf, both on 5 goals this season. Julian Hall is the man Red Bulls fans will want on the ball up front, his 9 goals and 24 shots on target the headline numbers, with Jorge Ruvalcaba (7 goals) and Emil Forsberg (3 goals, 32 chances created) offering support from deeper.

    US viewers can watch NYCFC vs New York Red Bulls on Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass.

    Squawka Signal
    Where are you?
    Match outcome · who wins
    NYCFCNYCFC46% Our pick
    DrawDraw24% 
    New York Red BullsNew York Red Bulls30% 

    NYCFC vs New York Red Bulls: Best Bets & Predictions

    Signal makes this a tight NYCFC call at 46%.

    Tight callno standout edge on the result
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    The tips · best bets
    MarketMkt %Signal %Read
    Correct ScoreNYCFC 2-1 New York Red BullsA 2-1 scoreline fits two sides who have traded draws and one-goal margins for weeks, with Fernández Mercau and Julian Hall both capable of finding the net at either end.
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    9%
    Model read
    ›
    Both Teams to ScoreBoth teams to scoreJulian Hall has scored 9 goals for the Red Bulls this season and Fernández Mercau has 14 for NYCFC, giving both sides a proven source of goals in this fixture.
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    61%
    Model read
    ›
    Over / Under 2.5Over 2.5Between them, Fernández Mercau, Ojeda, Wolf, Hall and Ruvalcaba have combined for 40 goals this season, enough firepower to push this one past two.5.
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    59%
    Model read
    ›
    Anytime ScorerFernández Mercau to score anytimeFernández Mercau leads every player in this preview with 14 goals from 59 shots and 33 of them on target, the clearest individual threat on the field.
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    —
    Model read
    Signal edge callsRecord building · settles at full-time

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    Season Form & Standings

    Both NYCFC and the Red Bulls sit in the Eastern Conference as the regular season winds toward the playoff picture, with neither side able to string together consistent form through September.

    Potential Match-Winners

    • Nicolás Fernández Mercau (NYCFC): The attacking midfielder has scored 14 goals and created 45 chances in 2,044 minutes this season, the clear creative and goalscoring hub of this NYCFC side.
    • Julian Hall (New York Red Bulls): Hall’s 9 goals have come from 47 shots, 24 of them on target, making him the away side’s most direct route to goal.
    • Emil Forsberg (New York Red Bulls): Forsberg has created 32 chances and added 3 goals of his own, the Red Bulls’ chief supplier from midfield.

    Recent Form

    NYCFC: D D D L W

    • 2026-09-13: Real Salt Lake 0-2 NYCFC (W, away)
    • 2026-09-10: NYCFC 1-2 New England Revolution (L, home)
    • 2026-09-05: NYCFC 0-0 Nashville SC (D, home)
    • 2026-08-30: Toronto FC 1-1 NYCFC (D, away)
    • 2026-08-23: New England Revolution 1-1 NYCFC (D, away)

    NYCFC’s last five reads three straight draws — away at New England Revolution, away at Toronto FC and at home to Nashville SC — followed by a 1-2 home defeat to New England Revolution and then a 2-0 win away at Real Salt Lake to close the run.

    New York Red Bulls: D L D L W

    • 2026-09-13: Columbus Crew 0-1 New York Red Bulls (W, away)
    • 2026-09-10: LAFC 2-0 New York Red Bulls (L, away)
    • 2026-09-06: Seattle Sounders 0-0 New York Red Bulls (D, away)
    • 2026-08-30: New York Red Bulls 1-3 Philadelphia Union (L, home)
    • 2026-08-23: New York Red Bulls 1-1 Chicago Fire (D, home)

    The Red Bulls have been streakier: a 1-1 home draw with Chicago Fire, a 1-3 home loss to Philadelphia Union, a scoreless draw at Seattle Sounders, a 2-0 defeat at LAFC, then a 1-0 win at Columbus Crew last time out.

    NYCFC vs New York Red Bulls Prediction

    Signal’s model has this finishing 2-1 to NYCFC. Both clubs are jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference, but the sharper individual quality — Fernández Mercau’s 14 goals and 45 chances created — gives the hosts the edge in a game where Julian Hall should also find the net for the Red Bulls before NYCFC land the decisive second.

    Squawka Signal

    Our model rates every MLS fixture — see the numbers behind NYCFC v New York Red Bulls.

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